What's Your Style In One Picture Challenge

Beautiful  and generous blogger Ally from over at From the Right Bank has issued another challenge for design bloggers!  This one is fun and challenging, because we are choosing that one special room that perfectly demonstrates our personal design style!  After looking through the many inspiration photos I have saved, here's the one that best  defines my own style...

Do you recognize it?  It's Cynthia Rowley's dining room (featured in Elle Decor!  I love this dining room and here's why it reflects my personal style:


1.  It is fresh and feminine without being frilly.
2.  The space is at once timeless and modern, even with all the vintage pieces!
3.  It is inspired by nature - I love the trees on the wall and the birds in the fabric.
4.  Three words:  Built in seating!
5.  The mix of vases and flowers on the table keep it casual.


Yep, this is where we dine in my dreams!  


Thanks, Ally for issuing this fun challenge!  See all of the entries here!

Thriftin'

Some recent acquisitions.  Some in as-found condition:

Brass side table missing its glass.  Easy fix.  Love that  bamboo detail on the brass legs. Needs a good shining.  Have you tried Barkeeper's Friend on brass? Gets all the tarnish off.  Then shine it up with a good brass polish.

Found the original tag under the chair.  Drexel Heritage, 1978. One of the front legs is slightly caddywampus (southern slang for crooked), but the husband can take care of that.. What do you think - that's gotta be the original upholstery (not in a good way)

Got a pair of these.  Very solid but that picnic tablecloth "fabric" will have to go! (its vinyl)

Crazy for this canary yellow lamp. It weighs a ton and has that amazing lattice detail. Sweet!  The lampshade was classic thrift store condition:

Me:  Can I just leave this with you?(handing cashier the fly-poop stained ill-fitting lampshade)

Cashier:  (looks at shade, then at me, then at cashier next aisle over, then back at me) Says nothing.

Cashier at next aisle over: (sighs) it's okay, they always wanna do that..

Somebody was awarded this in 1971 for something, but I won't be able to read the rest of it until the tarnish is removed.  On silver, I love Wright's Silver Cream.  About $6 at Walmart and  gets the job done.  I can't wait to fill this with orchids. 

A pair of these before (in great shape, but slightly oppressive)

the materials

and after...

Upholstery fabric by Covington is treated for outdoor use, meaning cleanups will be a breeze!

Alabaster!  Got a pair..

Added a cute striped lampshade from Target.  Already sold at my space at The Galleries at Southside.

Another before

Sanding + glossy white paint + leftover calendar  prints under new glass top.

Hope your week is fruitful!

Antique Tile

Vintage and classic style tiles have come back in a big way!.  White subway tile is one of the most popular selections for kitchen backsplashes and shower installations. And with good reason - it's clean, classic and timeless. Also inexpensive (score!)  I also love classic carerra marble on kitchen countertops or on bathroom floors, walls, or showers.  You truly cannot go wrong with these choices. 

But have you ever considered using some real antique tile?  If you are not familiar with turn of the century tiles then let me fill you in!  They are beautiful, readily available and fun to work into your next tile installation.  

The motifs are usually classic in style and have a gorgeous crackle finish.

This one is in process of having paint removed - but what colors and detail!

This type of tile was commonly used on fireplace surrounds during the turn of the century.  Love the mottle colors!

I love how the glaze pools in the recessed areas!

This Old House

I have a friend who collects antique tile and turns them into beautiful art pieces.  This is what she made for me as a housewarming gift.  Thanks, Jobeth!

Where to find it?  If you have an architectural supply in your area,  they usually have a good selection.  Ebay always plenty of old tile, sometimes you're lucky enough to find enough for a backsplash or shower border.  I used search words "Victorian Tile", "Antique Tile", "Old Bridge Tile " or "A E Tile".  


Have  a shiny weekend!